Mosley to keep on fighting

CARSON, Calif. — Shane Mosley would love to get another shot at a world title. If that's not in the cards, the former four-time champion says he'll take what he can get.

"At this point, I just want to fight the big fights," Mosley said after stopping Ricardo Mayorga with one second remaining in their junior middleweight bout Saturday night at Home Depot Center. "The title is cool, I like the title. (Antonio) Margarito has the title, other guys have titles. I want to fight the big fights."

Mosley, a former four-time world champion, has lobbied in the past for a shot at Margarito, who watched from a ringside seat Saturday night. Margarito stopped Miguel Cotto on July 26 in Las Vegas to win the WBA welterweight championship. Cotto had earned the title by scoring a close but unanimous 12-round decision over Mosley 10 1/2 months ago.

"The No. 1 guy was Margarito, he seems to be tied up with Cotto," Mosley said. "I have to try and find fights now. I don't want to wait around for Cotto and Margarito. I know they have plans."

At age 37, Mosley's best days are behind him, and even as an 8-1 favorite, getting past Mayorga was no easy task. In fact, Mosley appeared sluggish at times.

"He's so unpredictable. I tried to figure him out," Mosley said. "It wasn't that I was sluggish. I was watching out for his overhand rights, left hooks. He was a bit awkward. I was kind of hesitant. Maybe in the middle rounds, I kind of held back."

Mosley said his chore was made more difficult by two blood blisters on his right foot that began bothering him around the eighth round.

"They're ugly," he said. "My father told me to go out there, let it go, forget about the blisters. I actually feel pretty good right now except for my foot. I'm ready to go out and have fun."

Neither fighter appeared seriously hurt before Mosley floored Mayorga with about 15 seconds left in the final round. Mayorga staggered to his feet and took the mandatory eight count before a short left put him down again. There was no way Mayorga was going to get up after that, and referee David Mendoza stopped the bout just before it was going to end in a decision.

Mosley led by one point on judge Nelson Vasquez's scorecard and five on Tony Crebs' card entering the 12th round. Mayorga had a one-point lead on judge Pat Russell's card. The Associated Press had Mosley ahead by three points entering the 12th.